Pings

[lamwn]

I was thinking of starting another lowland approved...

I have not yet started with butterworts but have heard they are difficult. Rootrot being the most common problem. What are easy 'lowland pings' to begin with and whats the trick in healthy cultivation?

Thanks

[emiliasgarden]

Hey! ;D

I have these pinguicula plants: moranensis, primuliflora and esseriana.

The moranensis has been the more problematic i have had. Last winter i had a big plant, and suddenly, when the dry season ended and the rain started to fall like the end of the world, it died. But i made some leaf cuttings and all of them survived ;D. From this experience i learned that i should not grow pinguicula plants into bogs or too flooded sites.

The esseriana is very easy to cultivate, i have had no porblems with it. ;D

And about the primuliflora, i was told that these plants can become annual plants and that they do not like tropcial sites. This is what i was told. But my plants are very happy and healthy. They really like Tropics (No direct hot summer sun-light) And about if they are annuals or not, i do not have to mind about it, becuase they porduce plantlets all the time. To be more especific i have an invation of them. Before one plant dies, it has already produced at least 6 more plants, so they are always around.

The trick to a healthy Pinguicula: Never cultivate them under direct sun-light, always filtered sun light. And they need wet soil, but not soaked. I cultivate them all in pot that are in a bog, but over a stand or with water trays. With both systems i only allow less than half inch (maybe 1 cm) covering the bottom of the pot ( the pots are 3 to 4 inches (7 to 9 cm) tall.

This has been the way i learned to cultivate my Pinguicula plants after seeing some of them dead becauce of excess of water or sun-burnt.

They are not difficult at all

Cheers,
Jorge Joel...
Emilia's Garden

[jk]

I've been trying to grow P. moranensis for 2 years, but not too successfully. The plant looks fairly healthy, but it hasn't bloomed since I bought it. It's in LFS in a plastic pot in bright shade, and it gets top watered 3 times a week. So, aside from the bright shade part, you might want to try something else.

Jorge, what is your growing medium?

[Volker]

I still have lots of Pinguicula back in Germany, some of them as old as 20 years. Here in the Philippines i have only a P. esseriana and something else - still needs to grow up. I have the latter only since 2.5 months, so it's too early to conclude. Still look very healthy though.

I agree that Pings will hate too much moisture (LFS!), but the good thing is, you can grow them even in pure rocks and always with tray watering. Actually I wouldn't be surprised if they grow without soil! I might try perlite or lava rocks - maybe mixed with pure sand later. This should protect them from root rot during rainy season. I would also suggest to grow them at a very bright, but not sunny place.
They are also fine with low quality, high mineral tap water btw. No fertilizer needed.
If they are happy they flower non stop (except during dormancy).

Volker

i grow P.primiflora and recomend it very easy and will take hot and cold temps just grow it in a fish tank with the lid slightly open and a layer of sphag in the bottom of the tank and keep it in a really shady area